Russian power tubes

[kulich]

I'm thinking of getting a pair of power tubes for an old Garnet I just bought and was wondering if I am well advised to take a chance on buying NOS russian tubes from eBay or if I should stick with Grovetubes/JJs or whatever else is offered at places like the Tube Depot.

For example, there is this http://tinyurl.com/lo7hejw with the title:

6P6S = 6V6 = 6AY5 =587 Matched/Selected Pair NEW NOS STRONG MILLITARY Same Date

and looks great for the $20 landed at my door compared to three times that through the States.

Maybe it's just a crap shoot?

Peter

[ProfRhino]

Originally Posted by kulich

I'm thinking of getting a pair of power tubes for an old Garnet I just bought and was wondering if I am well advised to take a chance on buying NOS russian tubes from eBay or if I should stick with Grovetubes/JJs or whatever else is offered at places like the Tube Depot.

For example, there is this http://tinyurl.com/lo7hejw with the title:



and looks great for the $20 landed at my door compared to three times that through the States.

Maybe it's just a crap shoot?

Peter

Unless you have confirmation from a reliable source that these are exact plug'n' play replacements for your circuit, I would not take the risk.
There are lots of "similar" tubes around which might or might not cause problems.
Nothing to do with country of origin, btw ...
ymmv,
Rhino

[The Telenator]

Go to TubeDoctor. Forget those Groove Tubes. They are very second rate. Wouldn't trust anything claimed NOS, either, unless you actually have seen and know the source. Also, not all real NOS are all that great. Now, you talking NOS GE, etc., that are sourced ... well, that's different.

[kulich]

OK - I get it

Did some reading just now in the Telecaster forum which clears it further - and deals specifically with the 6v6c Russian tube types:

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/amp-centr...tubes-nos.html

This whole thing started because of Black Friday and wanting a tube deal - which doesn't happen, so I'll wait a while further.

Thanks to all posters.

P

[SaulT]

I've always had good luck using JJ's and Electroharmonix. I've always figured that half of the fun of a tube amp is trying two or three different makes and seeing which sounds best.

[Iain]

+1 for JJ valves. They sound good in my Marshall. Cheap too.

[ProfRhino]

JJ 6V6 don't really sound too much like a classic 6V6 imho, almost a bit similar to a weaker 6L6.
Not really bad, but atypical.
ymmv,
Rhino

[Cosmic]

I had great success with an old British Navy 6v6 from ebay.Was €10 shipped (pun unintended!)

[kulich]

Bought JJ power tubes for a Peavey Delta Blues. Retubing that cost me $100 because of the arcane shipping policies across the line; we just don't get free shipping in Canada.

This Garnet cost me $100 and I'm loath on my meager income to double that buy by retubing when I'm not sure of the result. However, throwing away $20 on Russian tubes that may not handle the plate voltage is also silly.

If anyone has links to affordable Canadian tube merchants that would be fun - I have had some success dealing with Pacific TV in Victoria and may check them out again.

Thanks for playing everyone .

P